What makes a photographer a ‘professional’?
I get emails regularly from people asking the same question. What makes you a ‘professional’ photographer and how can I be one? Although the definition of being a professional anything is pretty straightforward, for the one searching for where they fit into the photography world, it can actually feel a pretty abstract concept. As I can see from those many emails, there are many photographers wondering where they fit in.
So to make this clear: you’re a professional at something when it’s your profession. And a profession in the loosest sense of the word is “a vocation or business”. Although in the photographic world, the word profession may have a more strict definition and that’s open for debate. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as, say, being a doctor or a therapist or even a farmer. Because photography is unique in that it is a hobby or passion which can turn into a very nice business. For some, it’s part-time, for others full-time. When do you cross that line from hobbyist to professional?
A few things that DON’T make you a professional:
- A big ass camera
- A bigger ego
- All the editing programs in the world
So what do I tell those people who email me? When people love what you do and recognise you as a ‘photographer’, when you make any amount of money or business out of photography, then you are a ‘professional’.
What would you tell someone asking you the question: “what make a photographer a ‘professional’?”
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
What makes a photographer a ‘professional’?
Christmas in July – 25% Discount on Any dPS eBook – This Week Only
The 25th July is approaching this weekend and at our place that day we’ve invited a group of friends over for a Christmas in July dinner. On the spur of the moment today I thought it might be fun to extend the ‘festivities’ to dPS and offer you – our wonderful community – a little gift to celebrate the season.
For the next week I’m offering 25% off any dPS eBooks with a special discount code. The code is:
chrisjuly25
It will give you 25% off one or all of the following 3 eBooks:
- The Essential Guide to Portrait Photography
- Photo Nuts and Bolts: Know Your Camera and Take Better Photos
- Transcending Travel: a Guide to Captivating Travel Photography [NEW]
This discount gets you just under $5 off each book – you can get it on one or all three.
To get the discount – add the eBooks you want to your shopping cart and then add the code (chrisjuly25) to the discount code field and hit ‘update cart’ to see the discount reflected in the checkout total before checking out.
If you want some quick info about any of the ebooks – here’s a quick outline of each.
The Essential Guide to Portrait Photography
Whether it’s taking pictures of our friends, kids, partners or even ourselves – people are what we’re looking at through the viewfinder (or on the LCD) when we line up a shot.
Yet so many of us struggle to take portraits with the ‘WOW Factor’.
We wanted to help you achieve your true potential as a portrait photographer, so we’ve released a comprehensive 78 page downloadable e-book to teach you the secrets of stunning portraiture.
The Essential Portraits Photography Guide is our biggest selling E-book and has been enjoyed by many thousands of our readers.
Buy the Essential Guide to Portrait Photography OR Get more Information on This Resource.
Transcending Travel: A Guide to Captivating Travel Photography
Taking a Trip? You’ve Got One Chance To Get Your Pictures Right…
Transcending Travel is a dPS downloadable eBook designed to give you the skill and inspiration to take riveting travel images, ones so striking you’re friends won’t be able to stop talking about and sharing them.
It’s written by experienced Travel Photographer Mitchell Kanashkevich and is filled with new actionable teaching on many aspects of travel photography, practical exercises to help you prepare for your trip and inspirational images.
Buy Transcending Travel today OR get more information on this brand new resource.
Photo Nuts and Bolts: Know Your Camera and Take Better Photos
73% of digital camera owners wish they had more control over their camera!
These results from a recent poll of readers highlight a challenge that many camera owners face – they’re unable to use their camera to its fullest potential because they don’t understand the basics of how to use it.
If you wish you had a better understanding of your camera and how to get it working to its potential – this is the resource for you.
Covering 10 Lessons on the basics settings of camera (complete with homework tasks to go away and try for yourself) you’ll walk away from this resource better equipped to take control of your camera and use it to its potential.
Buy Photo Nuts and Bolts OR Get More Information on This Product.
To get the discount – add the eBooks you want to your shopping cart and then add the code (chrisjuly25) to the discount code field and hit ‘update cart’ to see the discount reflected in the checkout total before checking out. This special will end Friday 30th July.
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
Christmas in July – 25% Discount on Any dPS eBook – This Week Only
POLL: Do you Watermark you Images Before Sharing them Online?
As mentioned in our previous post – with the increased use of of photo sharing sites on the web we’re seeing more and more photographers having their work taken and used without the permission – often for commercial purposes.
One technique that many photographers use to curb this practice and get credit for their work is the use of watermarking their images.
Today I thought it’d be interesting to see how many of our readers use watermarking in this way.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.
After you vote – share a little more about why you do, or don’t use watermarking. Does it work? How do you do it? What do you like or not like about it?
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
POLL: Do you Watermark you Images Before Sharing them Online?
Have you ever been a victim of photo piracy?
Back in February, I posted about watermarking and how I use this opportunity for advertising. I mentioned briefly the idea that if someone was going to steal your images, you may as well make them work for you with watermarks that are attractive and don’t get cropped out. At least then when Tight Theresa steals my images, her friends will know where they came from and hopefully get in touch. Although on second thought, do I want all her tight friends also scamming me for freebies? A subject for another day. But I digress.
I also mentioned in that post that I couldn’t believe the lengths people go to in order to steal my images and that watermarks make no difference when someone has their heart set on stealing your stuff. Ironically, it was only a couple months later that a friend many hours away called to say she’d seen some of my stuff being displayed on canvas in a printers near her. After some investigation, I found that the images (stolen off Flickr, cropped to oblivion) were being distributed on canvas by a large warehouse in this country. And they weren’t just any old images, they were four images of my son.
Now, some well-meaning friends who don’t understand the nature of piracy and the invasion I felt just said, “wow that’s so cool! You’re like…famous and stuff! You’re good enough to steal from.” Um…thanks but no thanks. I’m also good enough to get paid.
Through this event and hearing the reactions of people who really didn’t see the big deal made me realise that we are pirates. Some of us copy CDs, some ‘let’ our friends leave their pirate DVDs at the house, others copy images off Google to fill the corners of our blog posts, quote Wiki without attribution, directly steal concepts for our photography without giving props. In some way or another, many of us do something unethical with another person’s intellectual property once in a while.
And even more, I believe that we’ve all been the victim of piracy at some time or another, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Take that image stolen from me for instance. It’s being distributed by a massive warehouse in Birmingham. Who knows where in the world there are hanging photos of my little boy. But that’s the risk I take when I decide to share my work online. You have to do so knowing that once it’s out there, you can’t control what happens next. But please let me know if you see this image in a canvas printers’ near you! 
This isn’t a list for how to avoid being a victim or piracy because clearly, I can’t control that in my own life. But I just thought it would be great to get the discussion going and hear stories of photographers who have had their work stolen. Even more interesting to know is how did you find out?
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
Have you ever been a victim of photo piracy?
17 Beautiful Images with Shallow Depth of Field
One technique that many photographers use to add a ‘wow factor’ to their images is to shoot with a shallow depth of field. In doing so they isolate part of the shot which is nicely in focus while throwing elements in the background (and sometimes the foreground) out of focus and into a lovely blur. Here are a few shots that use the technique of shallow depth of field.
Image by purplemattfish
Image by enggul
Image by Thomas Shahan
Image by Dustin Diaz
Image by cszar
Image by philippe leroyer
Image by aussiegall
“]
Image by ~jjjohn~
Image by Amir K.
Image by Andross
“]
Image by LEO™
Image by conorwithonen
Image by Steve took it
Image by Merlijn Hoek
Image by RHiNO NEAL
God some shallow depth of field shots to add to the collection above? Feel free to share your best shallow depth of field image below.
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
17 Beautiful Images with Shallow Depth of Field
7 Situations When Manual focus is better than Auto
Image by Michael Markieta
Auto focus is of unquestionable benefit in a large variety of shooting scenarios, but there are often times when it could actually be wiser to plump for manual focus. In these scenarios, which are outlined below, it is fair to say that autofocus doesn’t perform as well on some cameras, so simply rotate the focus mode selector to M and use the focus ring to sharpen the subject in view. It is also worth remembering that it can be easier in some situations to use the focus lock, in this instance simply focus on another subject at the same distance and then recompose the frame accordingly.
1. Fine details in close proximity
When shooting a scene that compromises hundreds of elements – each presenting a multitude of details – manual focus may be necessary for complete control. This is especially necessary when the subject(s) exhibits small or no variation in size, shape, colour or brightness. For example a field of flowers, a nature abstract close up, a busy high street packed with pedestrians etc.
2. Obstacles are in the way
If your subject is partially blocked behind an obstacle that you are unable to move out of the way or intend to keep (adding context), manual focus can help you to pinpoint the main subject. Furthermore if you team this approach with a wide aperture, you can creatively blur the obstruction from view. For example a caged or penned animal, a person looking from a window or stood behind a gate etc.
3. Geometric confusion
Many architectural photographers, especially those favouring contemporary design will often favour manual focus over auto. This is because modern architecture often exhibits geometric patterns that can confuse the camera’s auto focus. For example those shown on skyscrapers.
4. High contrast
When presented with a scene that contains large areas of sharply contrasting brightness it is likely your autofocus will struggle. For example if you are shooting an outdoor portrait with the subject stood in the shade, but have decided to incorporate a large area of adjoining light.
5. No contrast
As with areas of high contrast, photographers may find that scenes with no contrast present the same focusing issues, i.e. the main subject of your image exhibits the same tones and colours as its background. A common example of this is a freshly built snowman in a field of crisp white snow.
6. Dominating features
Compositions that contain objects that are bigger or bolder than the intended subject may also throw off your autofocus. For instance a person dwarfed in front of an intimidating cityscape may be lost using autofocus, switch to manual for a quick and effective solution.
7. Night
In situations where you want to shoot in complete darkness you may find manual focus is your only option. Examples of when this may be true include: shooting star trials, the northern lights or creating light graffiti. Often focusing at night is a case of trial and error, so scrutinize results by zooming in to the images presented on your LCD and adjust accordingly.
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
7 Situations When Manual focus is better than Auto
How you can use your iPhone to accept card payments from clients
In 2009, Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, founded a new company called ‘Square’ which brings the most mind blowingly simple merchant services straight to your iPhone. This may be old news to you in the U.S., but here in the U.K., we’re still waiting to see this fabulous technology in our hot little hands.
Square is so simple. It’s an app for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Square comes with a little cube-shaped dongle to plug into the earphone jack on your iPhone which is used to swipe cards. The screen turns into a pad for the client to enter their pin and the software even allows for ‘card-not-present’ transactions for clients over the phone.
The best bit? Square doesn’t require a merchant account, subscription, minimum monthly transactions or any-o-that! A lot like PayPal, you’re charged a small per-transaction fee (pennies) and then a less than 3% fee. During the transaction, customers enter their email address to receive their invoice/receipt via email (complete with a Google map of the location of the charge) so the entire transaction is paper-less.
For photographers, this will offer us so many more opportunities and reduce so much admin time which most of us would rather not have to deal with. Am I right? Am I right? Here are some ways I will use Square when it hits the UK:
- On the spot services like prom & events
- Client deposits and remaining balances on the day (exe: bride forgets the check on the day? Square’s got you covered)
- Transactions in the studio
Obviously, we’ll be able to use Square for any and all transactions, but just imagine the ease and added revenue possibilities of having a credit card machine in your pocket!
As easy and wonderful as Square seems, it only takes a split second of thinking like a criminal to come up with all sorts of badness. It will be very interesting to see how all the inevitable legal actions against Square will pan out to further form the technology into a flawless tool for honest merchants on the go.
Are you already using Square? Please tell us about your experience and the way you’ve found it helpful in your photography business.
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
How you can use your iPhone to accept card payments from clients
How Photographically Old Are You?
I’m a year and a half old. At least, I’ve come to think of it as a rebirth ever since I picked up my first digital SLR a year and a half ago. My how things have changed…
Photography has an amazing ability to change the way in which we really see light. It’s color and luminosity, the way it plays against and wraps around a subject. Photography has changed the world for me, and I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that. It may not always happen immediately, but give it time and I guarantee photography will change everything about how you perceive the world. Many of you are forever changed. Some of you long time professionals have known this for decades.
When you begin to look at everything as if it may be a photograph, you realize that everything truly is. Every experience and area in our lives holds a portion of interest, wonder or perhaps terror, but something that grabs and affixes our attention if we simply look at it beyond the casualness with which we often meander through life. Take the time to stop and really look at something. Study it. Appreciate every detail. Learn to bring out what makes it unique and interesting.
Better yet, grab your friends, children or family. Head out on a photo journey with them and discover everything around you. Creatively capture and freeze that single expressive moment in time that this wonderful device known as a camera allows you to. Be inspired.
Share with our readers how photography has inspired and changed your life. How photographically old are you?
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
How Photographically Old Are You?
3 Must Have Apps to Boost Productivity
We were in the Dr’s office last week and my son was playing on his iPod touch to keep him busy. Until he decided he neeeeeeded a new app noooooow. The Dr. said it perfectly: “Apps are the new pocket money.” Right on, Dr! Right on.
Applications (or ‘apps’ for short) are the biggest craze to hit the planet and clearly, they’re here to stay. And for those scratching their head, apps are little programs that can be downloaded into an Apple iPod touch, iPhone or the new iPad. They range from games to maps to train times. So much more than a fad, apps can either waste hours of your time or help you make the most of it. And for photographers, both hobby and professional, this can be a very good thing indeed.
So here are my favorite apps at the moment to maximize my time and organize my brain.
1. Second Shootr £3.99/$6.99 – This is seriously like having an assistant in your pocket. Second Shootr is the wedding/event/portrait photographer’s dream come true. You create an event, store all of your clients’ information, create a check list so you don’t forget stuff and have a list of must-haves. The must-have list is a must-have for me because my biggest fear is forgetting something at a wedding which can’t be re-created. Like the dress hanging up waiting for the bride or a shot of the rings. This app will remind you of all those things and more! Downside? You’ll have to explain to your clients that you’re not just playing around on your phone during their wedding.
Second Shootr can even help you before you’ve nailed the gig because you can keep lists of easily forgettable questions to ask at your first meeting. And this can be especially comforting for beginners who need to keep all their ducks in a row.
Second Shootr has a really great web site too! Check it out.
2. Golden Hour £2.99/$4.99 (lite version is free) – Golden Hour is an app to calculate where you are in the world and tell you the golden hour that day! So want to schedule an engagment session next month and want to do it during the golden hour? This handy little app will tell you what time you need to meet to catch those last golden rays of sun. It wont, however, stop the rain. Pooo 
Oh that note, there are other apps out there to tell you the sunrise/sunset times if that’s more up your alley.
3. Exposure Calc £1.19/$1.99 – I love this one! Exposure Calc helps me choose my settings depending on the scene and the ISO I desire to use. And if it isn’t perfect, it still gives you an excellent place to start which is sometimes the hardest thing to figure out, especially if you’re only just getting into using your manual settings.
There are literally hundreds or thousands of apps out there but these have just been three that I actually use.
How about y’all?
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
3 Must Have Apps to Boost Productivity
Communication – What Are You Saying?
Maintaining great client communications, whether with an editor, creative director, art buyer, family or newly engaged couple is paramount to continued success and growth as a working photographer. I say working photographer, because if you’re not communicating well with your clients and creating a unique brand experience in today’s competition filled digital world, you might not be working much at all.
It’s especially true for everyone with a camera and the drive to one day call themselves a professional photographer. In order to break into this highly competitive field, not only does it require knowledge, skill and passion, it requires the ability to communicate your product. So grab the Scrabble board and get ready to spell out for others who you are and what you do. Here are a few things I’ve found essential in my own client communications.
Communicating What You Do
I believe this might be the most important form of communication for your business. Being able to explain to others what you do, what your unique vision is and what separates you from the competition will elevate you above others. It’s your brand. If your answer is something like, “I take nice photos,” then it’s time to sit down and really evaluate what you’re saying with your photography. Ask yourself what you’re trying to convey with your work? Over time I’ve honed down my vision to lifestyle photography – showing people genuinely having fun in an energetic and emotional way. I like to think of it as the energy of life; and that’s how I communicate it to my clients. Communicating what makes you unique as a photographer is absolutely essential.
Communicating What You Want Others to Do
If you work with people being able to communicate your vision and get others to fulfill it is the next important form of communication. Whether it’s showing a bridal couple or family how and where to pose, or bringing out the right emotions from a model it’s important to develop your people skills. Start where you are comfortable. Practice on a friend or family member. Be serious about it though. Make sure you can actually communicate to them what you’re trying to create out of the images. Do this until you’re confident enough that you can interact with a complete stranger and get just what you’re looking for (baring the occasional uncooperative or over-stressed individual).
Collateral Material
Even when you’re not saying a word, your brand is speaking for you. That includes your website, blog, any letterhead or pricing charts, promotional material, etc. What is yours saying? Is it consistent with your brand and the message of your photography? We all don’t have a world of money to invest in super teched out websites or $10 card stock sheets, but you don’t have to. Work with what you have and make sure it’s all communicating the same message.
I find the simple materials often return the greatest rewards. After almost every photo shoot or big booking (I say almost because sometimes I forget) I like to send a hand-written thank you note to my client. It’s these little things that take very little time and money, but really lets each client know I appreciate their business, that make a world of difference. People will remember you for it and you can bet they’ll consider it when the next project rolls around or in recommendations to their friends/colleagues.
Go the Extra Mile
Going the extra mile isn’t exclusive to communication. Ultimately your actions and the experience you create for a client and team will speak the loudest. No amount of polish and shine will cover up bad work or a terrible attitude on game day. Ask yourself if you’re really giving 100 percent to your work each and every time. It’s not only personally rewarding when you do, but it always communicates the right message. Keep pushing yourself to be a better communicator and photographer. Go out and do. After all, footprints in history are not made sitting down.
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
Communication – What Are You Saying?